A/N Thanks so much for reading my story guys, I hope you are enjoying it. This is a long chapter, sorry about that. I got carried away lol.
Jonathan stared at her for a moment.
"Gill, my wife is sleeping, it's not a great idea to wake her too early when she's been at party the night before."
But just then Jennifer came out of the bedroom. She slowly walked over and sat down at the kitchen table.
"Gill, I hold you entirely responsible for how I'm feeling this morning," she said with a weak smile.
Gill didn't smile back. "I need you to come over to the information centre. There is something we need to talk about."
Jonathan frowned, "Is there a problem?" he asked.
"No of course not, it just relates to some details about your departure on Saturday." Gill told them.
"You might come over once you have had your breakfast."
She left soon after leaving them both somewhat perplexed.
"What do you make of that?" Jennifer asked once she was gone.
"I didn't like her tone," said Jonathan "And she didn't explain about this bracelet we are wearing."
Jennifer looked down and smiled brightly when she saw it. "Aww I got a bracelet. Gill must have given it to me last night. Maybe she is just hung over this morning darling. We did kinda over do it last night."
Jonathan had to agree. "What do you want for breakfast darling, I'm starving."
"What say we get dressed and go over and see what Gill wants at the information centre and then we can stop at the restaurant and have a leisurely fried breakfast with bacon, eggs, pancakes and all the trimmings."
"That sounds great."
H&H
Once they were dressed they made their way over to the information centre. It was a another lovely day. Jennifer thought of the beach and how she would sit and read for the afternoon. She hadn't even started that book she had brought in her case.
"Ah Jennifer, Jonathan, come in," Gill ushered them through the reception area and into a back office. It was dimly lit in comparison with the brightness of the sun and it took a second for their eyes to adjust. The couple looked at each other as they each took a seat. Gill went and sat behind a large desk. She shuffled through some papers.
She finally put the pages down and clasped her hands in front of her.
"I'm sure you are curious about this little meeting so I will come straight to the point...you are not going home on Saturday."
Jonathan and Jennifer both looked at each other and back at Gill.
"What do you mean...what is this," Jonathan asked.
"You need to work off your bill." Gill picked up a document and looked through it's details.
"You've had nearly a weeks worth of food, rides and snacks at the fairground, three restaurant meals and of course drinks. That all needs to be paid for. The bill come's to $10,000."
Jennifer couldn't speak. She glanced over at Jonathan.
"Now just a minute, you said that this was a free holiday..."
"The travel is free, the accomodation is free but the food and other extra's are not. My restaurant staff have informed me that you have not paid your bill. So you can either give me your bank details now and we can make arrangements for payment or you and Jennifer can work here for two months by which time you will have worked off the bill."
"Gill, why are you doing this?" Jennifer asked, her voice breaking slightly with emotion.
"I have a counter suggestion," Jonathan said, "How about you fly us out of here right now because we are not paying you a penny. You will be hearing from my lawyer."
Gill sat back in her chair.
Three large men dressed in black imediately burst into the room. Two of them took hold of Jonathan while the other took hold of Jennifer. He lifted her out of her chair and gave her a hard slap in the face. He then put her sitting back down. Jennifer was too stunned to react but Jonathan tried to get loose of the two men holding him.
"That's how it works here Jonathan. If you misbehave Jennifer will be punished and if you Jennifer want to cause any trouble Jonathan will be punished. And you wouldn't want that would you."
Jennifer shook her head dumbly. She was in shock.
As Jonathan struggled to get free he was cuffed around the head by the two holding him.
"No please, Jonathan it's ok," Jennifer put a hand out to quiet him. She didn't want him being hit.
"Please Gill, don't let them hurt him."
"Jennifer, go with this guard. He will take you over and show you where you will work. Jonathan will be alright. The guards will bring him to his place of work."
"No please don't split us up," Jennifer called out in alarm. "Look we will write you a check right now."
"Jennifer, go with the guard." Gill told her pointedly.
"It's your first day here. I don't want to have to order a proper punishment for Jonathan."
Jennifer locked eyes with Jonathan. She mouthed
"I love you" before turning to leave the office. She could hear him struggling to get away from the two holding him. She closed her eyes against the tears that threatened to fall. Once outside, the guard took hold of her arm and marched her in the direction of the surrounding hills. She felt dizzy as if the world was spinning around her. As they headed into the trees a terrible thought came to Jennifer. Was he planning on attacking her up here where nobody could see. He pulled her on towards a trail within the forest.
"Where are we going?" she yelled out in fear.
He suddenly threw her up against a tree and pressed his mouth to hers. Jennifer tried to move her face away from his. He took a rough hold of her chin and started in on kissing her again his other hand moving up the side of her body. She tried to cry out.
"She was supposed to be here an hour ago," a clear voice could be heard.
The guard looked over, this petit looking woman came closer.
"She is supposed to start work."
He ignored her and started in on kissing Jennifer's neck.
"I will say why the Sonas children are left unattended. I will say why I had to come out here."
The woman spoke up firmly. To Jennifer she looked to be of Asian decent.
The guard could hear the children in the building not far off. They were shouting at the tops of their voices.
He cursed at the small figure in front of him and he stormed off leaving Jennifer by the tree. She put shaky hands to her face as tears began to spill from her eyes.
"He's gone now, come on. Come in and meet the children." The woman took hold of her hand and began leading her through the trees. The winding dirt path led to a low stone wall and cast iron school gates. They went up the cobbled path and into the school building. The children imediately scrambled for their seats as the two woman walked up to the top of the class and stood by the blackboard. Jennifer looked around. It was a large school room split into three sets of desks. The little ones were at the top. They looked up at the new person eagerly, one or two of them smiled at her. Then to the left was a set of desks on which sat five children who looked to be aged between eight and eleven. They too sat up straight and looked on expectantly. At the very back sat three teenagers. They looked bored out of their minds and didn't even look up as the new teacher entered.
"This is new teacher Jennifer," the woman smiled around at them all. "Now what do we say..."
"Welcome to Sonas school Jennifer." they all chorased together.
She turned to Jennifer.
"You can read the little ones a story while I set a task for the older kids at the back, then we will have to do a spelling test with this lot over here."
Jennifer just looked at her. "I'm not doing any of that," she whispered. "I don't work here. I'm going to find my husband."
She then walked through the classroom and out the door. The young woman called to the children.
"Open your books, I don't want to hear another word," she yelled out over the talking.
Jennifer was heading out of the trees when the woman caught up with her.
"Do you want punishment for your husband. They will whip him if you disobey."
"They will have to find us first," Jennifer called out over her shoulder.
"They will find you easy with the bracelet."
Jennifer stopped. She looked down at the bright green Welcome to Sonas Island bracelet she was wearing. In a fit of energy she took hold and tried to prize it off.
The woman came closer.
"It is a tracker, we all wear one. Jennifer, if you disobey they will hurt your husband. They hurt my Rusty when we tried to leave. They rip his back, he was sore for many weeks. Please, you get me in trouble too if you don't come back to school. I must show you everything. Please... my name is Annabelle" she tried to smile. "it's not so bad here Jennifer. You will get used to it."
Jennifer dropped her head. Tears began to well in her eyes. Ten minutes later she was sitting on a chair reading The Three little Pigs to the youngest children.
H&H
Two more workers came in to watch the children so that Anabelle and Jennifer could go to lunch. Despite her stress she could feel her tummy begin to growl. She hadn't eaten a single thing yet today. As they headed over to the sea front restaurant they had to pass the little house Jonathan and Jennifer had stayed in. The house looked locked up, their inflatable rings were no longer on their little patch of beach. The place looked entirely deserted. Jennifer looked out at the beach as they passed it. She couldn't believe this turn of events. She felt totally overwhelmed by it all.
As they entered the restaurant Jennifer slipped into a seat. She took hold of the menu wondering what she could eat that wouldn't upset her sick stomach. Annabelle imediately took hold of her hand and tried to pull her out of the booth.
"Get up, if they see you, you will be in trouble."
Jennifer did get up. Annabelle went to the counter and was handed two packages.
"Come on," she said wearily as she led Jennifer out of the restaurant.
Once outside, Annabelle went on talking to her but Jennifer stopped as she spied the ladies she had met before. They were sunning themselves on loungers with drinks and snacks beside them. Jennifer suddenly took off running.
"Please, you must help. We've been kidnapped. My husband is somewhere on this Island."
"Oh no," the lady nearest lifted her sunglasses. "Where is your husband, I'll rescue him."
The other ladies laughed.
"Have you seen her husband, he is hot stuff. I'd definately rescue him."
Jennifer looked at them and realised she had made a mistake.
Annabelle ran up and took her by the arm.
"I'm sorry, she's new here," she apolagised to the women.
"Get her out of here Annabelle. She's blocking my sun."
They laughed again as Annabelle took hold of Jennifer and pushed her towards the cobbled path.
"Come on move," she yelled out. Once they were out of earshot she spoke firmly to Jennifer.
"Do you want us all punished Jennifer, they are members of the Sonas family along with Gill and Uri. We are teaching their children up at the school. Oh just come on."
Annabelle led the way into the park and turned down a path towards a lone picnic table.
"We are eating here?" Jennifer asked.
"Yeah, we can't use the restaurant. We just pick up our food there."
Jennifer looked around as other workers walked slowly into the park and sank down at the picnic tables with their packed lunchs. They all looked tired from their mornings work.
Annabelle handed her one of the packages and Jennifer sat down to eat. She pulled back the brown paper and found 4 crackers, two pats of butter, an apple, a banana and a small carton of milk.
"At least it's healthy," she muttered. "Is this all there is?"
Annabelle nodded. "You can earn 6 dollars a week and buy candy in the store or go on a ride if they need people for the fair ground. If you behave very well Jennifer you can go on the rides when they have visitors here. But each ride costs us 2 dollars so you have to save up your money."
"A teaching job that pays 6 dollars a week." Jennifer muttered as she broke off a piece of the banana.
"No you don't get paid for the teaching, you get paid for the collecting of apples. You get 3 dollars for collecting in the morning all week and if you are needed for evening work you get 3 dollars for that. You get paid on friday. I usually buy a bag of chocolate on friday evenings." Annabelle grinned.
"Annabelle, how long have you been here?" Jennifer asked.
"Me and Rusty came six years ago. We came for holiday and they told us there was work here so we stayed. Then they put on bracelets and we couldn't leave."
"Is there any boats or maybe a plane that comes here?"
"The boat comes every two weeks to pick up the apples for the wine. And sometimes visitors come like you. They have to stay then."
"Can't you warn them?" Jennifer asked.
"If Sonas family find out, they kill the visitors Jennifer. They kill the visitors and we are all punished." Annabelle shook her head sadly. "We can't tell them Jennifer. At least you are alive now."
Jennifer looked down at her food, she pushed it away from her.
She spoke without looking at the other woman.
"Do you know what they have done with my husband?" she asked.
"He is here, he is working like you. He be ok as long as you don't upset." Annabelle told her.
"We need to get out of here," she muttered.
"No Jennifer, many guards at the boat and the plane. They won't let you, now come on. We will be late for afternoon class."
They walked back towards the hills and took the wooden steps up to the higher planes. Jennifer remembered how wonderful she had thought these walks were only two days ago.
As soon as they entered the room Annabelle took charge of the class once again. Soon they were all busy with their work. It was only 2.30 in the day and Jennifer was feeling drained and exhausted already.
Finally a bell rang at 4.00 and the children closed their books and began to scramble to be first out of the building. Annabelle walked forward righting upturned chairs and picking up bits of crayon from the floor.
"Jennifer, will you tidy the infants desk and I will do the others."
Jennifer looked over at the mess left by the teenagers. There were crumpled up balls of paper and pensil shavings on their desks. Annabelle got quickly to work binning the paper.
"Shouldn't we be encoraging them to clean up after themselves. They are big kids." Jennifer said.
"They are Sonas kids...spoilt," Annabelle answered quietly.
Jennifer was heartened to see that Annabelle was starting to trust her.
"Annabelle...can I see Jonathan now,"
Annabelle looked up from her work.
"No Jennifer, you can't see Jonathan. He is on the other team. If you meet up with him you will be punished."
Jennifer shook her head. "What do you mean the other team?"
"We wear the green bracelet, Jonathan and Rusty they wear the orange bracelet. Gill Sonas don't want couples meeting, they don't want babies here. If you meet with Jonathan the bracelets will tell them. You see Jonathan later. No talking now, you clean. We talk later."
Jennifer began picking up the little story books and toys on the infants table. She suddenly felt a hand on her arm and turned to see Annabelle standing beside her.
"I know it's hard but it get better, you'll see. You just work and nothing happen."
They both looked up as someone entered the school room. Annabelle ran over.
"Melanie, where were you at lunch. I had no fun." Annabelle gave her a big hug.
"I had to clean out the visitors house. The holiday couple have been moved out."
Annabelle quickly gestured towards Jennifer.
"Oh sorry," Melanie called over at her.
"Where's our stuff," Jennifer asked her.
"I'm just told to pack it up and leave it by the front door, what they do with it I don't know."
Melanie then turned to Annabelle. "Jackie told me you are to take someone to get uniforms. I presume that someone is her."
"Come with us," Annabelle took Melanie's hand and they were heading out. "Come on Jennifer, we have to get you some uniforms."
Jennifer looked down at her cheerful blue and white sweater and white pants. After a minute she followed them out. There was nothing else to do.
They went down to the little shop at the sea front. It sold adorable gifts and trinkets, it also sold a hidious lemon check dress with large white colar. That was taken down and the shop keeper held it up to Jennifer to see if it would fit her.
"It's not perfect but we can put a belt on it. It's a bit wide." He went round back and came out with an elasticated white belt with a decorative metal clasp. He also put two pairs of shoes on the table. One pair were white plimsolls not unlike the ones you'd wear on holiday the others were tough rugged brown leather ankle boots.
"She will need a green uniform as well," Annabelle told him.
"Yes I have one here,"
Jennifer sucked in a breath as he brought out a uniform in clear plastic. The uniform had a label on it that said Jennifer Hart.
"Here take this," He handed her a bag. She looked back at him blankly.
"Underwear and socks," he told her. "Now that's all I have just now, you will be given another uniform when the meterial comes in."
He looked up into her eyes then,
"Well don't stare at me like that," He said "it's not my doing I only make the clothes. They have me chained to a sewing machine night and day."
"And you make such beautiful clothes," Annabelle grinned at him.
"Oh go on with you, flattery will get you everywhere."
Annabelle and Melanie chatted away as they headed back to the school. Jennifer walked three paces behind carrying the bag of underclothes. Once they were back at the school Melanie bid them good bye.
"I'm late, I have to go clean Uri's house. Ugh, it's a pigsty. I don't know what you're moaning about Hart, at least you are working at the school this month. Wait until you have to clean out their bath tub."
"Awww poor you, life is so terrible," Annabelle yelled after her. "come on Jennifer we will put your stuff in the back room."
They went back into the school room and Annabelle brought her through to rooms at the back. There was a tiny kitchen and a small room with three camp beds.
"That's your bed," Annabelle pointed to the bed in the corner. There was no windows to this room and one tired yellow bulb swung from a fitting overhead.
"There is a box under the bed for your things." Annabelle knelt down and pulled it out.
"You need to change into your green uniform now."
Annabelle went to her own bed and pulled out the box underneath it. She fished out the same green uniform and began taking off her lemon check dress. The uniform consisted of a black v neck t shirt, brown chord pants, a green Jacket and cap and brown leather boots.
"Why do we need this uniform?" Jennifer asked.
"It's for evening work," Annabelle smiled. "You might be needed to pick apples or clean the beach. It's depends." she shrugged as she tied up her laces.
Jennifer was wondering if this day would ever end. After correcting some course work they both went down to have their supper. Again they were handed packages and walked off towards the park.
"Why don't we eat in the kitchen back at the school," Jennifer asked.
"Ah it's nicer here," Annabelle told her. "You get to meet with the others."
It was now 6.30 in the evening. The wooden torchs were lit around the park but they no longer felt like something Jennifer should care about. She looked down at her plastic lunch box. At least the food felt warm. She peeled back the tin foil and frowned at it's contents. Two slices of cooked ham, three boiled potatoes and a small mound of mixed vegetables. No salt or garnish of any kind. Again it came with a small carton of milk. The workers gathering to eat all began talking. Some stretched their limbs as they sat down, some looked to be nearly asleep already. Jennifer looked all around her. She couldn't see Jonathan anywhere.
"Team 1 eat before us, Jonathan has had his tea already," Annabelle told her.
"Will I ever see him?" Jennifer asked.
Annabelle gave a sad smile. "Not if they can help it."
Melanie came to join them, she had with her the boy who used to deliver their wood.
"Jennifer, this is Melanie's son Scott," Annabelle told her.
He gave her a shy smile and went on with his meal hardly lifting his head there after.
"How was school today," Melanie asked Annabelle.
"It was good, Shellie wasn't there today. She's still got a cold."
Melanie frowned, "I know, I was cleaning Uri's house and she kept calling from the bedroom demanding cups of milk and more tissues. I needed that like a hole in the head today."
They both laughed. Jennifer wasn't really listening. She needed to find Jonathan. They needed to get off this wretched Island. She couldn't believe that this time yesterday they were sitting in their back garden looking out at the beach drinking fine wine and looking forward to going home and seeing Max and Freeway. She shook her head in disbelief at this turn of events.
"Hay Hart, hay Jennifer, hello..."
Jennifer looked up as Melanie was talking to her.
"You haven't touched your food. You are not going to survive here if you don't eat. Come on, eat up."
Jennifer concentrated on the meal in front of her and tried to eat the ham. It had been cooked to within an inch of it's life and it was tasteless. She ate the vegetables.
Once they had finished Melanie hauled herself up on tired limbs and took up her lunchbox.
"Come on, I think I'm on the evening roster worst luck. I wonder what delights Ingrid has in store for us."
"They had me on beach cleaning twice last week. It's so boring, just me and Becky and she doesn't even talk to anyone." Annabelle said.
Jennifer followed along behind them wondering if this awful day would ever come to an end.
They dropped their lunch box's back at the restaurant and headed to the beach front where two women were talking to a crowd forming there.
One held a clipboard in her hand. She called to Annabelle.
"You're on orchard work tonight Annabelle."
"Melanie, you can clean the beach," The woman smiled as Melanie gave up a grown in protest.
Jennifer looked around, every one of them was wearing the bright green bracelet that she had on.
"Jennifer Hart, you won't be needed this evening."
Jennifer nodded, her heart gave a leap. She would go looking for Jonathan.
Annabelle took hold of her arm.
"You go back to the school and you can have coffee in the kitchen. Then go to bed. Early start in the morning."
Jennifer nodded as she walked away from the group. She had no intention, she would search for Jonathan.